Engine block breaking apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an apparatus in which a movable breaking or splitting tool moves between adjustably spaced supports on which may be positioned a junked engine block which is to be &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;cleaned, &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; that is, in which the steel, aluminum and cast iron components of the engine are to be separated. The movement of the splitting blade through the engine block breaks the block longitudinally, separating the pistons, crankshaft and oil pan from the engine.

United States Patent [72] Inventors George R. Klempner;

Sam Rosenberg, Louisville, Ky. [21] Appl. No. 759,454 [22] Filed Sept. 12, 1968 [45 Patented Mar. 2, 1971 [73] Assignee Foundry Suppliers, Inc. Louisville, Ky.

[54] ENGINE BLOCK BREAKING APPARATUS 1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 225/104, 241/283 [51] Int. Cl .s 1326f 3/00 [50] Field of Search 225/ 103, 104, 93; 241/283, 270, 271, 273

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS g 623,853 4/ l 899 Ward et a1. 225/104 1,577,154 3/1926 Ambler 225/104 1,622,029 3/1927 Dovel 225/104 1,919,801 7/1933 Newsom 225/93X 2,907,530 10/1959 Pyles...t..... 24l/283X 3,067,498 12/1962 Tomka 225/104X 3,157,235 11/1964 Raizk et a1. 225/104X 3,164,312 l/l 965 Purski 225/104X Primary Examiner-Frank T. Yost Attorney-Woodard, Weikart, Emhardt and Naughton ABSTRACT: Disclosed is an apparatus in which a movable breaking or splitting tool moves between adjustably spaced supports on which may be positioned a junked engine block which is to be cleaned, that is, in which the steel, aluminum and cast iron components of the engine are to be separated. The movement of the splitting blade through the engine block breaks the block longitudinally, separating the pistons, crankshaft and oil pan from the engine.

ENGINE BLOCK BREAKING AI' PARATUS BACKGROUND or TI-IE INvENTIoN expenditure and the danger to workmen, because of relatively.

uncontrolled breaking or rupturing of the engine blocks, is relatively high. Another prior'art process involves shattering or pulverizing the engine blocks, spreading the fragments on a conveyorand then separating the aluminum, steel and cast iron fragments by hand on the conveyor. The foundry conslides within the uprights l8 and, together with the blade 17 is moved vertically, providing a downward working stroke, by

sumers of theend product, however, find-the crushed material resulting from this latter process somewhat unsatisfactory from the standpoint of use and handling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I BRIEF DESCRIPTIQN or TIIE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the apparatus shown in FIG. I. 7

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating the apparatus at the different oint in its cycle.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating the apparatus in a still further point in its operating cycle.

FIG. 5 is aview similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating the workengaging blade at the extremity of its working stroke.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MBODIMENT Referring initially to FIG. 1, the apparatus of the present invention indicated generally at 10 may be serviced by a conveyor 11 having plates 12 thereon accommodating internal combustion engine blocks 13 to be broken up by the apparatus. A conveyor 14 may be utilized todeliver the severed engine block andthe parts torn loose from it during the operation of the apparatus. It will be understood that from the conveyor 14 the. pieces of the engine block may be deposited upon a plate or further conveyor from which the various loose parts of the block may be segregated'either manually 'or by suitable automatic machinery, not shown;

A fixture l6 mounts the generally rectangular blade 17 which, as may best be seen in FIG. 2, hasa tapered lower margin 17a which serves as a block engaging edge. The fixture 16 the hydraulic cylinder 19. As may best be-seen in FIG. 2, at the base of the conveyor 11, engine block 13, to be processed, is moved by suitable conveying means in a direction parallel to the plane of the blade 17 until positioned directly under it and between the engine block support members 21. Stationary beneath the support member 21 are base elements 22 having flanged margins 220 which overlie inset portions 21a of the support members 21. The support members 21 are slidable horizontally with respect to the stationary members 22, the support members 21 being adjustablly'moved by any suitable means such as hydraulic cylinders, not shown. As an engine block Is moved Into the posItIon shown In FIG. 3 directly beneath the blade 17 the support members 21 may be extended toward each other so that the Iriembers support or engage the opposite lower side margins 13a of the engine at the oil pan.

In operation, with engine l3 positioned as shown in FIG. 3, the hydraulic cylinder '19 may be actuated to move the blade in its downward, working stroke. With the engine block 13 in position, it will be noted that the blade is generally aligned with the crankshaft 24 extending through the engine block.

As the blade 17 exerts compression on the engine block and moves to an intermediate position in its stroke as shown in FIG. 4, the block will be split longitudinally and further movement of the blade 17 into the extremity of its downward stroke as shown in FIG. 5 serves to break the crankshaft and connected pistons from the cylinder block halves. The blade 17 may then be retracted upwardly and the halves of the engine and the engine block processing operation can thus be performed inside under improved working conditions as compared to prior art exterior operations.

Iclaim:

I. An apparatus for breaking up internal combustion engine blocks comprising a blade having a generally rectangular configuration with a tapered lower margin defining a block engaging edge, the width of said blade being approximately equal to the crankshaft length of the engine block, said blade being supported for vertical movement including a downward working stroke, power means for moving said "blade, engine block support members spaced below said blade and on its opposite sides, said blade extending between said support members at the lowermost extremity of its working stroke, said support members being adapted to engage the opposite, lower side margins of the engine block with said blade generally vertically aligned with the engine crankshaft and said support members being movable toward and away from said blade to vary the gap between the support members through which said blade moves, whereby as the working stroke of said blades is free of the longitudinally severed engine block. 

1. An apparatus for breaking up internal combustion engine blocks comprising a blade having a generally rectangular configuration with a tapered lower margin defining a block engaging edge, the width of said blade being approximately equal to the crankshaft length of the engine block, said blade being supported for vertical movement including a downward working stroke, power means for moving said blade, engine block support members spaced below said blade and on its opposite sides, said blade extending between said support members at the lowermost extremity of its working stroke, said support members being adapted to engage the opposite, lower side margins of the engine block with said blade generally vertically aligned with the engine crankshaft and said support members being movable toward and away from said blade to vary the gap between the support members through which said blade moves, whereby as the working stroke of said blades is completed the crankshaft and connected pistons are broken free of the longitudinally severed engine block. 